Iowa Supreme Court asks legislature for more money

The justices on Iowa’s Supreme Court are asking lawmakers to give the courts more money. The state’s court system — like most of the rest of state government — has had its budget cut in each of the past four years, and the Iowa Supreme Court is asking the governor and legislature for an immediate infusion of cash in January. The Court wants one-and-a-half million dollars. The Justices say the money would be used to keep court offices open that are now being closed periodically to cut salary expenses. For the present budgeting year, employees in the state’s court system have been forced to take eight days of unpaid leave. Court system officials are also asking the legislature for more money in the next budgeting year to hire more judges and support staff to deal with an increasing number of court cases. Chief Justice Louis Lavorato says the state budget cuts over the past four years “have taken a heavy toll” and are now “directly affecting service to the public.”